The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-26
THE FOURTH OF JULY.


There are indications that the Fourth of
July is to be more generally celebrated this
year than at any time since the From
all parts of the country come reports that the
day is to be observed in the old-fashioned
way with speeches, fireworks and an enthusi-
asm that has long been absent. Several
causes may account for this renewal of in
terest in this important anniversary, but it
is probably due in a great measure to wide
spread feeling that communistic and auarchic-
al sentiments can best be checked by pro-
motion of the American idea" The fact
that a large proportion of the proposed cele-
brations are to be under the auspices of labor
organizations confirms this view. The for
eign element of the population which is in
clined to interfere with the existing order of
affairs by the violent enforcement of its own
wild and dangerous theories is found chiefly
among the laboring classes No better way
can be devised of impressing upon these peo-
pie the fact that their schemes are impracti-
cable and destructive of true liberty, than that
of teaching them the principles upon which
this government rests and what freedom
it affords to all under its guardianship. No
occasion 10 so suitable the Fourth for the
incubation of such truths, and it was happy
thought that simultaneously inspired many
minds with the patriotic purpose of restoring
the day to its original Importance holiday
truly national. 1t is not enough. however,
that the celebration should be confined to one
class of citizens. Foreigners should be made
to understand the nature Of our institutions
as soon as possible after their arrival, and if
eloquence, and historical narration, and gen.
eral glorifcation of country can fill them with
some idea of the privileges they enjoy in the
land of their -adoption, then all these should
be used. But it is not among the foreign
population alone that lack of patriotic feel
ing exists. AS a matter of fact the immi-
grant assimiates readily. The Irishman cher
shes faithful love for the green isle of his ma
tivity, but he becomes ardent American in
thought and feeling within brief time; the
German grumbles, and growls, and endeavors
to have affairs here conducted on the system
to which he has been accustomed; he extols
his fatherland without measure-but he does
not go back. Anarchists are among them, it
is true, but to one of these who would
murder and destroy are ten who are converted
to ways of peace and order by the prosperity
they enjoy. 1t is among native Americans
themselves where a revival of patriotism is
most needed. Where once existed DISPOSE
ton to boast of America and her institutions
is now an apathetic indifference, we'll
defined tendency to depreciate all that is dis
tinctly American, and to compare it unfavor-
ably with what is foreign. The vainglorious
habit was Objectionable, perhaps, but far less
| SO than the propensity to disparage ones own
country. Honest criticism of home institu-
tons, made with a purpose of improving
them, is one thing systematic decrying of
native land is different matter, and one that
| is closely allied to the bad taste and principle
| which leads man to defame his own family
| in public. Americans whose pride would not
| permit the latter infringement of good breed
| ing, will trespass in the other direction with
out thought that they are thus stamping
| themselves as citizens of little worth to the
| community. This disposition to belittle their
| own is demonstrated in various ways. The
man touched, even unconsciously, with anglo
mania, is the "good citizen" who holds him
| self aloof from active politics, and seldom
| takes the trouble to vote, but who reserves the
| right to criticise political results with an air
of lofty moral superiority. He is the same
man who deprecates all partisan feelings, who
| is alarmed by mention of the civil war, and
has no comprehension of the sentiment which
| was shocked at the proposed return of the
| rebel flags 1t is such people these who
should participate in the Fourth of July cele-
| brations. To be patriotic must be parti-
san, it is true; but, for single day, it will be
| we'll for these "good citizens" to forget their
objections to the land they live in and to join
| in laudation of liberty and of the principles
| for which men fought and died that the coun-
try might be free. Let them read the Declar-
alton of Independence, let them consider the
| principle which could lead Nathan Hale to
say, and thousands like him to feel: 81
only regret that 1 have but one life to lose for
my country" 1t was Alexander Hamilton
who said that glove for our native land
strengthens our individual and national
character" Let that love be cultivated and
encouraged. not day but at all times,
and the Fourth of July be chosen to give it
expression. II is the one holiday, above all
others, that all good Americans should cele-
brate.